Railroad switch protector



April 30, 1957 A.p. FINN RAILROAD swncn PROTECTOR Filed Sept 17, 1953 Fig.

INVENTORI BY Oll 3m m F 0 w M m RAILROAD SWITCH PROTECTOR Arthur D; Finn, Merrill, Wis.

Application September 17, 1953, Serial No. 380,650

3 Claims. (Cl. 246-448) This invention relates to railroad switch protectors and more particularly to an improved semiautomatic safety locking device for retaining railroad switches in closed position.

An object of this invention is to provide a locking device which will positively retain a switch in closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a locking device for railroad switches which can be moved to an inoperative position to allow the switch to be opened.

A further object of this invention is to provide a railroad switch protector which is simple and efficient in construction and durable and lasting in use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a railroad switch protector which may be readily associated with the usual switch constructions now in general use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top view showing the preferred form of railroad switch protector mounted in association with a railroad switch, the padlock being omitted for clarity.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of Figure 1, showing the railroad switch protector in operative position; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the swingable switch point locking bar or member.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings it will be seen that the improved form of railroad switch protector forming the subject of this invention includes, as shown in Figure l, a plate secured to a conventional railroad cross tie 12. The plate-10 is secured in any conventional manner.

The cross tie 12 has secured to the upper face thereof a main rail 14. The main rail 14 is mounted adjacent one end of the cross tie 12 and the plate 10 is spaced from the main rail 14 toward the other end of the cross tie. A switching portion 16 of a spur track lies closely adjacent the main rail between the main rail 14 and the plate 10. Conventional switching means 18 are provided for moving the switching portion 16 toward and away from the main rail 14.

A box like member 20 is secured to the upper face of the plate 10. The opposite sides of the box like member 20 are each provided with an aperture 22. The apertures 22 are aligned and a pin 24 extends therethrough. The pin 24 extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cross tie 12.

A vertically disposed plate 26 is secured to the wall of the box like member 20 which faces the rail 14. The edge of the plate 26 slopes downwardly toward the rail 14.

A longitudinal member 28 having a bifurcated end having leg portions 30 is pivotally mounted on the box like member 20. The pin 24 extends through apertures 32 in the legs 30 of the bifurcated end to pivotally mount nited States Patent 2,790,613 Patented Apr. 30, 1957 the member 28. A pair of web portions 34 are mounted between the legs 30 spaced from the apertures 32 toward the single end of member 28. The web portions have a space therebetween which is adapted to receive the plate 26 when the member 28 is in horizontal position.

The single end of member 23 is hollow and is internally threaded. A shaft 36 having external threads thereon is engaged at one end in the end of member 28. The other end of the shaft 36 is provided with a rectangular portion 38 adjacent the end. The extreme end of the shaft 36 is rounded as at 46. Thus the distance between the pivot point of member 28 and the rounded end 49 can be adjusted by gripping the portion 38 and turning the shaft as desired.

The vertical plate 26 is provided with a plurality of apertures 42 along the sloping edge thereof. The usual shackle of a conventional padlock 44- is adapted to engage in a selected one of the apertures 42 to function as a stop to retain the member 23 in operative position.

In practical use, when it is desired to move railroad cars on the spur track the switch means is moved to place the portion 16 against the rail 14. Then the member 23 is moved to the position shown in Figure 2 and the lock 44 is inserted in the selected aperture 42. This prevents the member 28 from being accidentally moved to inoperative position. When it is not desired to move the cars over portion 16, the lock is first removed, then the member 28 is moved to inoperative position. After this the switching mechanism is used to move the portion 16 away from the rail 14.

It is to be understood that the portion 16 couldbe the main rail and rail 14 could comprise a side track. In either instance the construction of the railroad switch protector would be the same.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the in vention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A railroad switch protector comprising: a horizontal plate for mounting on a cross tie, a vertical plate having a series of spaced openings therein, mounted on the horizontal plate, a locking bar including a bifurcated end portion pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement on the horizontal plate and adapted to straddle the vertical plate when in operative position with its free end in abutting engagement with a switch point, and a padlock engageable selectively in the openings for retaining the locking bar in operative position.

2. A railroad switch protector comprising: a horizontal plate for mounting on a cross tie, a vertical plate having a series of spaced openings therein, mounted on the horizontal plate, a locking bar including a bifurcated end portion pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement on the horizontal plate and adapted to straddle the vertical plate when in operative position with its free end in abutting engagement with a switch point, and a padlock engageable selectively in the openings for retaining the locking bar in operative position, said locking bar being longitudinally adjustable and including a tube, and a shaft threadedly mounted in said tube and projecting therefrom for engagement with the switch point.

3. A railroad switch protector comprising: a horizontal plate for mounting on a cross tie, a member rising from said plate, a substantially segmental vertical plate rising from the horizontal plate and extending forwardly from said member, said vertical plate having a series of spaced openings in its free marginal portion, a locking bar comprising a bifurcated end portion straddling the member and pivotally secured thereto for mounting said bar for vertical swinging movement thereon and engageable at its free end with a switch point, spaced webs on the furcations of the bar for the reception of the vertical plate therebetween when said locking bar is in operative position, and a lock insertable selectively in the openings for securing said lockingbar in operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Luchkanich Nov. 28, 1922 Peterman Dec. 29, 1925 Hall Sept. 7, 1926 Peddle Sept. 26, 1939 Bussler Mar. 30, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 24, 1910 

